Chapter 200
## Cassian's POV
"Is she asleep?" Casper's voice cut through the movie's background noise, low and careful not to disturb the woman curled against his chest.
I shifted my gaze from the television screen to Elowen, her hair fanned across Casper's shoulder, her breathing deep and even. The flickering light from the screen cast shadows across her peaceful face, highlighting the faint freckles scattered across her nose.
"Yeah." The word came out softer than I intended, my usual coldness melting at the edges.
My brother's fingers moved through her hair with practiced gentleness, and I caught the way his eyes softened as he looked down at her. That expression on his face—protective, almost reverent—it was one I'd seen reflected in my own eyes lately.
"Look at you," Zero's deep rumble echoed in my mind, laced with dark amusement. "Looking like some lovesick fool."
"Shut up, Zero," I shot back. "You're just as wrapped around her finger as I am. Don't pretend otherwise."
"I never said I wasn't," he admitted, his presence pushing forward behind my eyes as he gazed at Elowen through me. "She's ours. Our mate. But that look on your face... it's pathetic."
"You were practically purring when she touched us earlier," I countered.
He didn't respond, which meant I was right.
On the screen, some romantic scene played out—a couple dancing in the rain, all dramatic and sappy. I would have rolled my eyes if I wasn't so focused on the feeling of Elowen's presence through our bond, warm and content.
"Never thought you'd be into this sentimental crap, Casper," Ronan's voice cut in from the chair beside us, dripping with mockery.
My brother didn't even look away from the screen. "Got a problem with it?"
"Just surprised," Ronan replied, leaning back with his arms crossed. "Figured you'd be more into action movies. Blood, fighting, that sort of thing."
"At least I have taste," Casper shot back quietly. "Unlike your obsession with those violent fight films."
Ronan's lips curved into a smirk. "Fair point. Though I gotta say, watching you two..." He gestured between us. "Elowen's got you both trained like puppies. One look from her and you're both ready to roll over."
I felt Casper's irritation spike through our twin bond, but he kept his voice controlled. "Better than being alone."
"Can't argue with that." Ronan's emerald eyes glinted with mischief. "Though seriously—what's next? Are you gonna start using one of those strap-on things to keep up with her needs?"
"What?" Ronan's face scrunched up in confusion.
"Never mind." Casper's jaw tightened, a faint blush creeping up his neck.
I bit back a laugh. "He really doesn't get it, does he?"
"Stop talking about my sister like that!" Ronan finally caught on, his face reddening. "Jesus Christ, man!"
The corner of Casper's mouth twitched upward. "You asked."
"I did not ask about—" Ronan cut himself off, running a hand through his hair. "Forget it. Just... forget I said anything."
The movie continued, but my attention was divided. Part of me watched the screen, part of me felt Elowen's steady heartbeat through our bond, and another part monitored Ronan's reactions. The guy was protective of his sister—I got that. Hell, I respected it. But there was still this underlying tension whenever he was around.
On screen, the female lead started complaining about her hair getting wet in the rain. Ronan suddenly sat up, his voice rising to a ridiculous falsetto. "Oh my god, my hair! The rain will ruin it! And my makeup! I'll get a tan! This is a disaster!"
He accompanied this with exaggerated gestures, primping invisible hair and fanning his face dramatically.
"Elowen's not like that," Casper said immediately, his voice defensive even though it was clearly a joke.
I nodded, surprising myself with how quickly I jumped to agree. "She doesn't care about that superficial shit."
Through our bond, I felt Casper's awareness of my jealousy—the fact that Elowen was sleeping peacefully in his arms instead of mine. It gnawed at me, sharp and bitter.
"Easy," Casper's voice whispered through our mental link. "She loves you, brother. She loves us both the same."
I met his eyes across Elowen's sleeping form. The understanding that passed between us was complicated—part competition, part unity, wholly devoted to the woman between us.
My gaze dropped back to Elowen, taking in the gentle rise and fall of her chest, the way her lips were slightly parted in sleep. My eyes traced the mark on her neck—my mark—visible just above the collar of her shirt. The sight of it sent a primal satisfaction coursing through me.
"This peace won't last," I thought, my jaw clenching. "I know what I have to do. I know what I have to propose."
The plan had been forming in my mind for days now, growing more concrete with each passing hour. It was brutal. Risky. Might cost me everything.
"But for her," I thought, my eyes fixed on Elowen's sleeping face, "for our children... I'll do whatever it takes."
"What are you thinking about?" Casper's voice cut through my thoughts, barely above a whisper.
Through our bond, he'd felt the shift in my emotions—the hardening of my resolve, the weight of the decision I was carrying.
"Later," I murmured back, my voice tight. "Let her rest."
Casper's eyes narrowed slightly, but he nodded. He knew me well enough to recognize when I was planning something. He also knew better than to push right now, with Elowen sleeping so peacefully between us.
"When this is all over," I thought, watching her chest rise and fall, "I just hope she can forgive me for what I'm about to suggest."
Zero stirred in my mind, his presence heavy with understanding. "She might hate you for it."
"I know."
"But you're going to do it anyway."
"Yes."
Because that's what love was, wasn't it? Making the hard choices. Taking the hit. Doing whatever it took to keep them safe, even if it meant becoming the villain in their story.
I took a slow breath, forcing myself to stay present in this moment. The movie played on, the romantic music swelling as the couple on screen finally kissed. Ronan made a gagging sound. Casper's hand continued its gentle path through Elowen's hair.
And I sat there, holding the weight of what was coming, knowing that this peaceful afternoon was the calm before the storm I was about to unleash.
---
"So," Ronan's voice broke the silence again. "You guys know what's actually going on? With the... situation?"
I glanced at him sharply. He was being deliberately vague, not wanting to wake Elowen, but I knew what he meant. Raven. The choice. Everything hanging over our heads like a guillotine.
"Yeah." Casper's voice was tight. "We know."
"From what I understand," Ronan continued, his casual tone not matching the seriousness of his words, "Elowen and Cassian agreed to sacrifice two mate bonds to save Alpha Austin."
"That's the situation," I confirmed, my voice flat.
Ronan leaned forward, his elbows on his knees. "Though honestly? I don't think the old bastard's worth it."